Right now, people are calling for real action and government accountability so that we can tackle the enormous challenge of rising temperatures and a changing, unpredictable climate around the globe. The Global People’s Climate March was the biggest climate mobilization in history!

Some of ISV’s program staff from around the world got involved in the climate change marches to show their support for this worthy cause. In Australia, the ISV team took part in the action in Sydney joining over 45,000 to walk the streets and send a clear message to our political leaders to take a stronger stance at the Paris negotiations. Over 150,000 Australians took part in marches across the nation.

With rising temperatures, Australia is likely to be one of the world’s worst affected countries by climate change. It’s already having a damaging impact on Australia’s ecosystems and species, which makes the work of ISV volunteers all the more important.

ISV participants in Australia have planted, weeded, built trails, put up fences, collected scientific data and a whole range of conservation tasks over the years. Not only have our volunteers protected and enhanced Australia’s natural resources, but they’ve sent a clear message to other Australians that our environment is important and also educated a whole. (Find out more about volunteering in Australia at http://www.isvolunteers.org/blog/volunteer-australia/.)

In South Africa, our staff joined the colorful song and dance of 1,500 people in Cape Town on a hot 32C day. With banners, musical performances and inspiring speakers, Cape Town became motivated to create realistic, positive changes to address climate change – no matter how small.

In South Africa, there is now less rain due to climate change, leading to erosion and drought, which effects biodiversity. With increased urbanisation and habitat encroachment from roads, cities and dams etc, species are more reliant on reserves to exist.

Our conservation projects in South Africa assist by taking part in vital biodiversity surveys, data collection of tree, grass, bird and game species on vulnerable reserves, and monitoring the amount of rain, growth and health of the environment. ISV has also partnered with a breeding and rehabilitation centre for cheetahs – a species that has been under threat and on the endangered list for years due to human development and habitat destruction.

ISV prides itself in taking action on conservation issues. Whatever the outcome from the Paris summit, climate change remains one of our biggest threats and leaders must catch up to reduce our carbon emissions and protect the world’s most vulnerable people and species.